Source: Patheos
By Saima Sheikh
Recently, American Freedom Defense Initiative or AFDI, which is co founded by Pamela Geller, hosted a cartoon drawing contest of Prophet Muhammad of Islam in Garland, Texas. Unfortunately, there was a shooting towards the end of the event. The two gunmen injured a security officer but before they could harm anyone else, were killed by the on duty police officer. My thoughts and prayers go out to the injured security officer. I hope he recovers quickly from his injuries. I want to applaud the on duty police officer who managed to kill these two lunatics. These two individuals do not represent Islam or Muslims but as always the entire religion of Islam is blamed. Muslim communities have repeatedly issued statements condemning violence occurring in the name of Islam here in the United States and abroad but apparently it is falling on deaf ears because I still see non-Muslim Americans asking why American Muslims aren’t speaking up against Islamic extremists. Muslims are not just speaking against these terrorists but communities such as the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, one of the oldest Muslim organizations in the United States has been shouting loudly against extremism for over 125 years.
As an American Ahmadi Muslim, I recognize that everyone has a legal right to free speech. My appeal instead to Geller is to understand why Muslims are offended by the caricatures of Prophet Muhammad.
In Islam, all Prophets of God hold a high stature and Muslims are taught to respect them. Belief in all previous prophets including Abraham, Moses, Jesus and others is part of the six articles of faith a Muslim has to abide by. Prophet Muhammad holds a high status in Islam and is deeply loved and respected by Muslims. The main tenet of Islam is belief in one God. Prophet Muhammad discouraged Muslims from drawing his picture or worshipping him like a God.
Islam does not oppose free speech but advocates responsible speech. It tells us to always tell the truth even if it is against one’s own self. “O ye who believe! Be strict in observing justice, and be witnesses for Allah, even though it be against yourselves or against parents and kindred…” (4:136) Muslims are taught not to force their beliefs on others. The Holy Quran says, “There is no compulsion in religion. (2:257)
Prophet Muhammad championed free thought and expression. He was constantly insulted but he never retaliated against anyone. Instead he forgave everyone. For example, after the peace treaty with the Meccans, he said, “By God, you will have no punishment today and no reproof” (Hisham). Prophet Muhammad taught Muslims to respond hatred with kindness and love.
The Messiah and founder of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad has said, “Be kind and merciful to humanity, for all are His creatures: do not oppress them with your tongue, or hands, or in any other way.” (Our Teaching)
After the Charlie Hebdo attack, the head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness the Khalifa of Islam, Mirza Masroor Ahmad said, “In this day and age the media has great power – if it is irresponsible then it can fuel disorder and unnecessarily provoke, but if it is responsible then it can play a great role in creating peace and harmony within society.”
There is already too much hatred and violence in the world. We should use freedom of speech as a means of promoting peace and not hatred.
Follow Saima on twitter at @SaimaGSheikh
Categories: Americas, Free speach, Free Speech, Freedom, ISLAM
There are two reasons behind misusing the freedom of expression, provocation and motive to insult. As far as Mohammad SAW is considered he cannot be insulted because his entire life , his attitude & behavior in all situations, and his teachings—-all are open, no one can raise finger.If those handful muslims who get provoked and do unislamic act like abusing in retaliation,destroying public & govt. property or killing etc., follow the Islamic teaching (sabr and salat) I believe that all those people who are trying to malign Islam, will not succeed.
Voilation of freedom of expression is mustly against Islam. There are two reasons behind this,firstly bankruptcy of some mentality who believe ” hurting of others sentiments & spreading of untruthness” is a great job. Secondly, the visible contradiction in what muslim ulemah,leaders,intellectuals,press & mass saying and deed. Do they raise objection when the founder of ahmadiyya community is abused? Do they protest when a ahmadi is debared from his basic rights & his life is made ttoublesome? They demand religeous freedom in other govt. and donot raise question when all religous right have been snatched from ahmadies in muslim countries, this double standard of muslims is projecting wrong picture of Islam.
It is interesting that Aqa( Hazrat Mohammad saw) & his best khadim( Founder of the ahmadiyya community) are facing ” violation of freedom of expression” mostly. Peaople who are doing against S.A.W., donot have the book like the Holy Quran and they donot follow the lives of prophets. What lives the Holy Quran describes, we donot get a single example where ” boycot,abusing, murder, instruction to not listen others points, etc. by a single prophet. On the contrary these things were done by the opponents( kuffar) Irum all prophets including Huzoor SAW. Unfortunatley, Muslims claim that they follow The Holy Quran and donot follow the lives of prophets including Hazrst Khatamannabeen— either by following the opponents deed by ahandful people and to be silent by all muslims.